QTLS
ATS
become a member

Lead with confidence. Progress with recognition.

Professional recognition. Practical progression.

Professional statuses for the Further Education and Skills sector

Working towards a professional status can help turn that impact into long-term career momentum. 
Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) are designed to recognise your growth and support better practice in the classroom at different stages of your career. 
Whether you’re building your teaching practice or developing your leadership, there’s a status to support your next move.

Qualified Teacher
Learning and Skills

Professional recognition. Practical progression.
This status demonstrates your dedication to your continuing professionalism following ITE graduation. This is a popular choice for early career practitioners.
Find out about QTLS

Advanced
Teacher Status

Professional recognition. Practical progression.
This status is aimed at demonstrating the depth experience and wide-reaching impact of sector teachers, trainers and aspiring leaders.
Find out about ATS

Want an

alternative?

Find out more about Specialist Status in Education for Sustainable Development

why gain

status

Top 5 reasons

Top 5 reasons to gain a status

01
Gain nationally respected professional status that reflects your expertise and ambition
02
Open doors to greater responsibility and new roles
03
Increase your earning potential through recognised status that supports career progression
04
Build momentum in your career with pathways to leadership
05
Fit development around your role with a structured and flexible process
Join the 99% of status holders
who report lasting impact on their teaching, learners, and teams

ARE YOU

ELIGIBLE?

Status application checklist - These are some of the key criteria we check to see if it is suitable for a sector professional to undertake the programmes to gain their preferred status:  

QTLS
ATS
Hold SET Membership
Work in FE and Skills sector teaching post-14+ year olds
Be teaching groups of 5+ for 230 hours between 26 January to 30 June 2026
Be teaching groups of learners 5+ for a minimum of 320 hours for the length of the programme
Hold FE and Skills Qualification to Level 5+
4+ years if you hold QTLS/QTS.

5+ years if you do not hold QTLS/QTS.
Hold accepted maths and English qualifications Level 2+
Hold accepted qualification for the main subject(s) you teach to Level 3+
Hold accepted qualification for the subject(s) you teach for more than 5 hours a week to Level 3+
If you are delivering teacher training programmes, you will be required to be a teacher/trainer with at least 4 years-experience post Initial Teacher Education
If you deliver teacher training programmes for 5+ hours per week, in addition to a subject specific qualification, you must also demonstrate that you have a minimum of five years' teaching experience within FE and Skills.
See complete list

Recognition that moves
your career forward

Consider how your career and confidence can benefit from gaining a new professional status:

With QTLS you can achieve benefits enjoyed already by over 27,000 of your peers

Enhances your profile:

Strengthen your professional profile with a Teacher Reference Number, valued by employers
Boost your standing with employers, peers, and learners across the sector
Showcase your expertise with visibility on the Professional Status Register
Demonstrate advanced practice with ATS which is a nationally recognised professional status

Moves your teaching forward:

Open doors to greater responsibility and new roles
Grow your confidence and capability with structured development and expert resources
Refine your practice with enhanced strategies in planning, assessment, and inclusive teaching
Lead projects that drive meaningful change within your organisation
Support your growth and career progression through your SET membership and peer network
Discover which path fits you
Find out about QTLS
Find out about ATS

Want to support your team?

As a manager, you can enhance the skillset and confidence of your team by supporting them to undertake the QTLS or ATS programmes.

With QTLS, individuals, students and organisations all thrive
Find out how we can develop your team
partnership@etfoundation.co.uk
Good to talk
Our team can give you advice and guidance as you consider applying for Professional statuses.
Please call
0800 093 9111
(Mon – Fri, 9.30am to 5pm).
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